Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Education Focus Area Committee
 Monday, March 5, 2007
Northfield Inn Conference Center – Springfield, IL

Members Present                                                                                                                               
Steve Stierwalt, Chair                                                     Stacy Stremsterfer, AISWCD
Don Beisiegel                                                                 Terry Bogner                                        
Debbie Ruff, RC                                                              Valerie Keener, IDNR
Duane Snow                                                                  Rollie Spaniol
Paige Buck, NRCS                                                           Jim Todd
Dale Jahraus

Chairman Steve Stierwalt called the meeting to order at 1:01 pm.  Agenda will start at #8 since Stacy Stremsterfer needed to attend the new director training. Roll call sheet was passed around. 

Teacher of the Year awards will be judged during the June Quarterly Board Education Focus Area Committee meeting. Board approved.

Director Training – Stacy Stremsterfer gave an update on director training. She gave an overview of the possible training outline that was being looked into. For the new directors it could consist of a one day training followed by a couple of tele-net trainings to be completed before Summer Conference. The tele-net trainings are recorded and could possibly fulfill the 12 training modules that were stated in the Strategic Plan.  Discussion was held concerning comments from those directors who attended spring workshops. Steve Stierwalt asked for sessions that could be given to the Planning Focus Area for Summer Conference. Effective meetings, parliamentary procedure, financial responsibilities of directors, employee relations were all noted. The top two sessions that the committee would like to see at Summer Conference included employee relations and working with legislators.

Envirothon Taskforce – Terry Bogner (chairman) updated the group on activities that the taskforce had been working on. Stacy Stremsterfer gave an update from the Canon meeting that was held during NACD’s annual meeting.

Motion to approve the December Education Focus Committee minutes was made by Don Beisiegel and seconded by Dale Jahraus. MCVV

Valerie Keener, IDNR, reported that one teacher of the year applied for the biodiversity grant that was given as part of their award and noted that IDNR will continue offering this grant opportunity to the winners at the state level. Eight ENTICE workshops are scheduled through June 30th.

IDOA – no report given

NRCS – Paige Buck updated the group on their effort on adult education concerning producers going with corn on corn crop rotations and staying in compliance with their conservation plan. Press releases concerning this issue are in the process of going out to the District Conservationists. Steve Stierwalt asked if NRCS would consider developing more information and workshops on conducting prescribed burns. Discussion was held.

Education Luncheon – Stacy Stremsterfer reported the group needed to decide on an MC and someone to help make sure award winners know where they are to be seated. Steve Stierwalt will handle both. Motion was made by Dale Jahraus and seconded by Don Beisiegel for the education chair to appoint members “to get the job done”. MCVV.

Stacy Stremsterfer updated the group on the ag legislative day basket items. Finding empty water bottles has been harder than anticipated. New contacts were suggested.

New Business – Discussion was held concerning a letter from Land Use Council expressing concern about importance of education in strategic plan. It was suggested that a strategic plan should be developed for the Education Focus Group. This could be done during September Quarterly Board.

No old business was brought forward.

A motion to adjourn was made by Don Beisiegel and seconded by Dale Jahraus. MCVV.

Minutes submitted by: Debbie Ruff